Gluten Foods to Avoid for Hashimoto's

by
PATRICIA NEVINS, RN, MSN Aug. 14, 2017

Patricia Nevins, RN, MSN

Patricia Nevins is a registered nurse with nearly 20 years of nursing experience. She obtained her Master of Science in nursing with a focus in education from the University of Phoenix. Nevins shares her passion for healthy living through her roles as educator, nursing consultant and writer.

Individuals with Hashimoto's disease may need to avoid gluten foods because, just like celiac disease, Hashimoto's is a chronic autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues; in the case of Hashimoto's, the thyroid gland is affected. Gluten foods are not the cause of the disorder, but for some people they trigger an immune system response that results in tissue inflammation and destruction.

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What is Gluten Sensitivity?

The authors of "Medical Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems" explain that approximately 1 percent of the population have true celiac disease, but many more have gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. When susceptible people ingest gluten, it becomes partially digested and releases other proteins and amino acids that the intestinal lining absorbs. Because these peptides cannot be digested, they trigger an inflammatory response in the intestine. Chronic inflammation damages intestinal tissues, causing myriad problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, malnutrition, osteoporosis, anemia and reproductive problems.

The Hashimoto's-Gluten Connection

Hashimoto's is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder. The affected person's immune system directs its attack primarily at the thyroid gland. However, people with Hashimoto's have a similar genetic predisposition to those with celiac disease. This connection was established in a research study published in 2007 in the "World Journal of Gastroentorology" and has been repeatedly supported through further studies. Patients with Hashimoto's should be screened for celiac disease and, early in the disease process, may benefit from following a gluten-free diet. Before adopting a gluten-free diet, you should be evaluated by your physician to establish the need for such a measure.

Foods to Avoid

Gluten, also referred to as a vegetable protein, is found in every flour product unless it is specifically made with a gluten-free product, such as rice flour, or labeled as gluten free. Although you can purchase gluten-free flour, oatmeal, and processed foods such as bagels and muffins, these products are expensive. Wheat, barley, oats, rye, flour and processed foods such as pizza, cookies, crackers and pies contain gluten. Although natural oats are gluten free, they are hard to find and often become contaminated with wheat, rye or barley during the milling process. Other foods to consider regarding their gluten content are pasta, dumplings and potato bread, which all contain gluten.

Hidden Gluten

Many products contain hidden gluten because it is used as a filler or binder. Read food and vitamin labels to search for gluten listed as vegetable protein, food starch, malt or graham. Malt is made from barley, so avoid malt alcohols and malt vinegar. Manufacturers do not have to list gluten or gluten-containing ingredients if used for packaging. So items you would not expect to find gluten in, such as spaghetti sauce or a chocolate bar, may indeed contain gluten. Because packaged and processed foods pose many questions as to whether or not they are gluten free, you may find it easier to make a lot of your own foods. You can make your own spaghetti sauce, breads and other baked goods at home using fresh produce and gluten-free flour or rice flour. Eggs, potatoes, butter, cheese and unflavored dairy products, tapioca, flax, corn and rice, soy products, peanut butter and meats that have not been marinated or breaded are safe to eat.